For generations Tahiti has epitomised the South Sea idyll, depicted by the paintings of Paul Gaugin and sea-faring tales like ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’. Since Laird Hamilton’s ‘Millennium Wave’ at Teahupoo, the island’s all the rage for ...
French Polynesia
For generations Tahiti has epitomised the South Sea idyll, depicted by the paintings of Paul Gaugin and sea-faring tales like ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’. Since Laird Hamilton’s ‘Millennium Wave’ at Teahupoo, the island’s all the rage for surfers. Indeed, its position at 17° South in the South Pacific signals enormous swell potential and the surrounding coral reefs produce world-class waves. However, most of the breaks are straight onto razor-sharp reefs and many aren’t easily accessible – and despite the trade’s influence the island isn’t particularly reliable for wind. Maybe that’s why the black pearl of the South Seas is the ultimate challenge for wavesailors too.
Regions in French Polynesia
Moorea
Unlike Tahiti, Moorea is virtually surrounded by a barrier reef, so huge turquoise lagoons offer perfect freeride conditions between the coral belt and white sandy beaches. But you won’t have to forego waves as Moorea’s reef channels form clean ...